Guard Definition

gärd

guarded, guarding, guards

verb

guarded, guarding, guards

To watch over (a place or person, for example) in order to keep from being damaged, robbed, or injured.

Guard a bank; guarding a witness.

American Heritage

To supervise the entry and exit through; keep watch at.

Guard a door.

American Heritage

To watch over.

Webster's New World

To keep safe from harm; watch over and protect; defend; shield.

Webster's New World

To cover (a piece of machinery) with a device to protect the operator.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

noun

guards

A person who protects, keeps watch, or acts as a sentinel.

A prison guard.

American Heritage

The act or duty of guarding; careful watch; wariness; defense; protection.

Webster's New World

Protection; watch.

The sheepdog kept guard over the herd.

American Heritage

The arms or weapon in such a posture.

Webster's New World

Something that gives protection; a safeguard.

A guard against tooth decay.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
safety
safety device
safeguard
precaution
sentry go
guard duty
sentry duty
vigilant
mindful
alert
screw
defender
patrolman
watchdog
turnkey

idiom

off (one's) guard

Not alert; unprepared.

American Heritage

on (one's) guard

Alert and watchful; cautious.

American Heritage

stand guard

To keep watch.
To act as a sentinel.

American Heritage

off (one's) guard

Not alert; unprepared.

American Heritage

on (one's) guard

Alert and watchful; cautious.

American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Guard

Noun

Singular:

guard

Plural:

guards

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Guard

Origin of Guard

For verb: From early Middle French or late Old French (circa 14th cent) guarder (“to keep, ward, guard, save, preserve, etc.”), from Frankish *wardōn (from Proto-Germanic *wardo-), cognate with Old English weardian (from which English to ward). Compare French garder. See also English regard.

From Wiktionary
For noun: From Middle English garde, from early Middle French or late Old French guarde (“a guardian, warden, keeper”) (whence modern French garde), from the verb guarder.

From Wiktionary
Middle English garden from Old French garder, guarder of Germanic origin wer-³ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English garden from Old French garder, guarder of Germanic origin wer-³ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition